Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well, I want to start my thread with some heartfelt thanks:

To TimC, NicholasC, their father Barry and the now legendary “little green trailer”, JeffreyJ and my brother Mark, a huge thank you for your contributions in many varied ways in helping me with 2*1000l fish tank, 2@500l grow beds, the fantastic, custom-made gb stands (unfortunately when I was at school, girls weren’t allowed to do welding!!!), the huge hole to bury the ft, and all the advice and support, help and humour over the last 12 months;

On reflection, I should call it the RTNBJM system!!!

I was first introduced to BackyardAquaponics about 15 months ago by TimC. I was intrigued, but couldn’t see myself killing fish, so tried to forget about it. However, the bug had bitten, and after 12 months of internal debate, reading others threads, and learning about PH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates, I gave in and started planning – still don’t know about deliberately killing the fish, but that is probably 12 months away so... (begins humming “One day at a time…”)

I then started experimenting with plumbing! It is rather funny going to a hardware shop, not knowing what anything was called nor what fitted with what! Finally, however, I had a few pieces that seemed to fit together and do what I wanted them to do!

When it is cooler!! I will move my raised garden beds (no dig, square foot gardening, dirt garden!) to a new location to make way for the second half of my system, but for now I have started with one 1000l ft, buried. I chose to bury the ft firstly to utilise space more efficiently, and secondly to help moderate the water temperature a little.

For close to a month, I have had a 50l crate filled with hydroton and some “gunk” courtesy NicholasC to begin cycling, and put 10 goldfish (average size 8cm) in the huge 1000l ft. No spikes so I guess the “gunk” did its job perfectly! On Friday NicholasC & TimC put six small perch in – unfortunately two died before Friday evening, so I guess I join the rank of “fish killers” early in my career! It is flood and drain system, with 15 mins on and 45 off except during the hottest time of the day when it is 15 mins on and 15 off.

Over the next week I hope to wash more hydroton and set up this “real” gb and all the associated plumbing. Then some shade cloth and a few seedlings. If the PH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings remain good, I hope to add 25 perch within the next few weeks so they have a chance to grow a bit before the cooler weather sets in.

Is this fair?
I am pretty sure that at some time I will want to move the goldfish (though they are getting on really well with the perch so far!) so I began training/feeding them by holding a net and putting their floating pellets in the net. They are so comfortable moving into and out of the net now, that I can even wobble it around gently and they are not too concerned. Three out of four of the remaining perch too seem to be learning that there is nothing to be afraid of in the net too! (The fourth never ventures far from the safety of hiding under the pump, and yet it appears to be the most aggressive, chasing any fish that come too close to its chosen abode! Wonder what will happen when it grows and no longer fits under the pump!)

Cool Robyn, that looks really good. Do you know why the perch died? (Silver perch I assume)
Do you have a thermometer in the tank to tell what the temperature is?
(Just quietly I had a little experience of my own this morning)
By the way when the fish go into an aquaponic system it is purely a business arrangement and they are happy to share in the journey. It is not always about the destination.

Hi Famous Faye! and thanks for your interest and also the pleasure your garden has given everyone - I have certainly enjoyed reading your thread.

Not sure why the littlies died, but in gardening terms, I assume "transplant shock" or stress of the journey from Queensland! They were quite small! No not silvers - golden and jade - not sure which ones are left, but hopefully as they grow a bit I will be able to tell. The ft has been quite consistently 26-28 and was closer to 26C this morning.

I know where you are coming from Robyn as I always feel somewhat guilty when I catch and kill a fish that I get from my tank. I think its because they sort of become like pets and trust you and then you betray them. If I catch a fish in the wild and kill that I dont feel anywhere near as guilty.

WOO HOO Robyn,

im so happy for you, that it is all working, and the welding was a piece of cake, you dont owe me anything.

Now, when we going to see a picture of the whole lot. And dont try to photograph the fish, i tried for like an hour, it ain't going to happen until they are a lot bigger!!

Hi Robyn, welcome. You seem to have solid help around you. Hope it all goes well.

Looks like we are all out of the shadows now.... Good to see your thread finally appear.

Now you have the stand in I want to see that thing all operational in a couple of weeks. Your water looks so much clearer than mine already....

Those perch were so small, I would also put it down to severe jet lag... I haven't seen mine either since putting them in.

Well done RT It looks like its gonna be a real good system.

Kudos to TC, NC, BC, JJ & Mark for helping

hey Tim, they may have been small, but it still an amazing feeling when they go in.. ..i keep looking at mine, then my mind plays tricks on me, tells me there bigger already lol

..and sorry Robyn, your other pictures didn't come up before, looks good.

So who we waiting for to put there system together now???

Finally a pictures of the system i have been waiting to see it for awhile.

Tell me if the fish like the dried shrimp i gave you, oh and hold your nose before opening the bag it has a strong smell of prawns. Let me know when you need more i have a kilogram of it

Nic

Thanks all for the words of encouragement. I agree with you JJ - it is an amazing feeling and I just love sitting out there watching the little ones! I too, think mine have grown heaps since Friday!!! LOL

JJ - I didn't actually post the photos until an edit this evening - wanted to get photos to clarify what I was writing about. Lots of fun holding the net, dropping in some feed and trying to get the action shot all at the same time - and I like most people only have two hands.

Thanks for the shrimp and flakes, NC. Am looking forward to confusing/pleasing the little fishies with a change of diet!

Yes, me thinks TC had better get going - but he is probably waiting until he is a uni student with nothing better to do with his time!!!

So you tricked me with the photos hey Robyn, i like it lol

..and you even got pictures of the fish, i couldn't do it, they were too fast and i was getting those pictures of action shots, where the background is all blurry and the subject is in focus - just had no subject!!!

Well done again Robyn.. ..and maybe we can use this to keep Tim around LCC a little longer, like he cant leave until one successful cycle sort of thing lol

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah..... I might run out of money, so I will HAVE to come back...

When you've eaten something out of your system JJ... then you can talk... I am way ahead of ya in that respect. I have roma tomatos the size of my fist ripening as we speak...